Sarah Vaughan-Brown OBE
Founding Partner
Sarah has spent nearly 30 years advising CEOs, editors, and public figures, drawing from her experience with global media organisations and Downing Street. Known for her strategic insight, she has built a reputation for guiding high-profile clients under scrutiny with her direct approach and extensive network.
Sarah was Director of Corporate Communications at ITN for over a decade, overseeing communications for ITV News, Channel 4 News, and 5 News, and leading public affairs strategies, including the successful campaign for the introduction of cameras in court.
Prior to this, she was Head of Public Relations at Trinity Mirror plc, where she ran the press office for this then FTSE 250 and its portfolio of media brands, working closely with Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan and helping to launch the Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards.
More recently, Sarah advised Mrs. Carrie Johnson throughout Boris Johnson’s term as UK Prime Minister, handling all media, supporting her high-profile engagements and charitable work, including campaigning to end violence against women and girls.
In 2023, Sarah was honoured as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her political and public service.
Louise Hammersley, Barrister
Founding Partner
Louise was called to the bar in 2002, completing her pupillage at the leading media set 5RB, and has since established herself as a pre-eminent media law specialist focusing on defamation, IP and privacy.
Louise brings a truly unique background, having advised on the biggest stories of our time in addition to many pioneering legal matters such as the cameras in court campaign. After acting as an adviser in the House of Lords covering the Legal Affairs and Media briefs, she has worked both in-house and as a consultant for a wide range of media organisations and high- profile individuals. Her expertise also spans corporate and commercial strategy through to public affairs, pre-publication and reputation management.
Louise has worked closely with the BBC, Channel 4 News, ITV News, the Telegraph, the Sun, the Mail and the Independent over many years, and advised a number of big independent production companies, including Warner Bros.
Louise sat on the board of the Media Society for over a decade, driving policy and change at the heart of the organisation. She also devised and ran the legal course on the Masters in Broadcast Journalism at the London College of Communication, acting as a mentor to future journalists over many years.
She has an unrivalled network of influential contacts reaching from newsrooms to boardrooms in the UK and beyond.
Deba Mithal, FCCA
Managing Partner
Deba brings over 20 years of leadership experience in finance within the film and TV production industry. She has worked with renowned independent companies such as Sister Pictures and was previously Finance Director at Kudos, part of the Shine Endemol Group. She has collaborated closely with major platforms like Netflix, the BBC, and Sky on both domestic and international productions.
More recently, Deba served as CFO/COO for the UK division of Gaumont, the French global film company, where she successfully built and led the finance and operational teams, driving efficiency and supporting creative output. With her considerable experience in start-ups and scale ups, she has also assisted Pathé UK in its transition from film to TV.
Deba has also advised the London Film School on organisational structure and systems, and consulted for an award-winning architectural practice advising on finance and operational strategy.
In addition to her finance and operational consultancy, Deba is an AOEC-accredited executive coach, specialising in guiding business owners and company directors. Her solutions-focused approach has consistently transformed finance departments, developed high-performing teams, and fostered individual growth within organisations.
At Argyll Brown, you’ll have direct access to senior level support every step of the way.
Our top team is on hand 24/7 for round-the-clock counsel and continuous peace of mind.
Beyond our own expertise, clients can tap into valuable insights from our trusted networks, built over many years at the sharp end. We work with a handpicked pool of highly respected specialists, bringing in the very best talent when you need it.
